Original subtitles

[engine revving]

[birds chirping]

Does this little doll have curb appeal or what?

Oh, God, I think I'm in love.

I said the minute I saw it,

this is the Arnie Becker dream house.

- What are they asking? - A million-three.

But it doesn't even go on the market until next Wednesday,

and my feeling is, if you make them an offer this week,

you can steal it for nine-fifty.

They put over a half million into remodeling.

At 950, they're taking a major bath on it.

God, look at that fireplace.

There's another one in the den, the dining room,

the kitchen, and the master bedroom.

This is exactly the house I've been looking for.

You sit on this baby six months,

I could get you

a million-450 for it, [snaps finger] easy.

Becker: So tell me...

why is it-- why is it such a bargain now?

Divorce situation. Very bitter.

You know what that's like.

I know I shouldn't be telling you all the gory details,

but, well, after what you did for me when the rat left,

you're like family.

- Tell. - Ha-ha.

Well, it's the old story, rocky marriage.

Instead of going to a shrink to work out the real problems,

they buy a house instead.

You've seen it a million times.

It starts with fighting over the color of the tile,

then he accuses her of having her taste in her behind,

and she retaliates by having an affair

with the general contractor...

and the tile man...

and the stone man.

That's why there's so many fireplaces.

So the upshot is, he absolutely hates the house.

She totally loves it.

Well, she put so much of herself into it.

Tell me about it.

And he's insisting they sell and split the proceeds.

Who are the lawyers?

Greg Lyman for him and Matt Pace for her.

If you want my advice, you beg,

borrow, or steal to get this house.

Estelle, I'd sell my soul to get this house.

[laughs]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[epic music]

I didn't found McKenzie-Brackman

so that it could become the branch office

of a New York law conglomerate.

You realize the upfront payment of the more senior lawyers

would be the nature of three to four hundred thousand dollars

Raymond: and somewhat less for the rest.

I believe I can speak for my partners.

We've created something rather special and unique

at McKenzie Brackman, which none of us

have any desire to change.

Are you sure? You know, the view of the mountain

looks different from the bottom than it does from the top.

Raymond: Leland, I know the firm is your life,

but I doubt if you're gonna want to go on working forever.

Think of the younger members.

In a year, we can triple your billings.

I'm sorry, Raymond. Your offer is very flattering,

but we're just not interested.

Ask your partners.

I don't have to.

Are you afraid to?

I'm out of here.

Oh, wait. Wait.

Do you want me to make you breakfast?

- I'm late. Sleep. - Ugh...

Mickey, I hate this.

By the time I get home, you're asleep.

By the time I get up, you're gone.

This is no way to live.

Well, you have to look at the bright side, Gracie.

At least we don't fight.

I mean it.

Yeah, well, you'll get no argument from me.

Well, what are we gonna do?

Since McKenzie Brackman doesn't have a night shift,

I guess that's up to you.

Should I give them an ultimatum?

Well, don't paint yourself into a corner.

This can't last forever.

Now, sleep on it.

You want to sleep on it with me?

Oh, I'd love to...

but I can't.

I will wait up for you tonight, though.

I promise.

Okay.

Scout's honor.

Bye.

Bye, Mickey.

[knocks on door]

Leland McKenzie.

Stan: Very impressive.

Morris Hood's really pulling out all the stops, isn't he?

Stan, it's nice to see you looking so relaxed.

And what is that supposed to mean?

McKenzie: Just that this little sting operation

wasn't your grandest hour.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money,

and all you bag is one Muni Court judge

for fixing tickets and Morris Hood,

who most certainly will have these charges dismissed

on the grounds of entrapment.

Ah, I was waiting for that magic word to be uttered.

"Entrapment, when the crime

was not contemplated by the defendant

but was instigated by police officers,

and the defendant was, by persuasion or fraud,

lured into its commission."

"Where a defendant has a previously

existing criminal intent,

the fact that when solicited by a decoy he commits a crime,

does not show entrapment."

Morris Hood was an honest jurist

with no propensity for bribery

until your agent lured him into it.

Oh, really?

The life and times of your squeaky clean jurist.

If you could prove any of these prior allegations,

you'd have brought them to trial.

Evidentiary problems.

And this one is every bit as tainted.

He took the money, didn't he? 50,000 bucks worth.

You came after him three times before he took it,

raising the ante each time.

Or are you going to deny that, too?

No.

McKenzie: Then you've violated his rights yet again

when you turned his arrest into a public spectacle.

Well, what are we supposed to do, nominate him for sainthood

or maybe Chief Justice?

Is that what you want?

No, I don't.

But I do think he's suffered enough.

Let him retire from the bench with his pension intact.

You want a dismissal.

And you want him off the bench.

You want to avoid the public embarrassment

of losing your showboat case in court.

This serves both our ends, Stan.

And, truthfully, I don't see any good purpose to be met

by sending a sad, broken man

like Morris Hood to prison.

Do you?

People vs. Delores Kirby.

Mother-in-law allegedly harassed the ex-wife,

some spillage from one of Arnold's divorce cases.

Brackman: And where do we stand on the Cromwell suit?

We've already gotten two out of the three

causes of action dismissed.

Discovery and trial on the remaining cause pending.

Cromwell called me himself to express his pleasure.

McKenzie: That's good work, Ann.

Thank you.

Brackman: Stewart, this Chapman case,

does it have the possibility of bouncing into litigation?

Well, I haven't interviewed them yet.

I'm flying up to San Francisco on Thursday.

Well, if there's nothing else.

Um, I... I had breakfast this morning with Raymond Lloyd.

He's senior partner in the firm of Marshal Taft,

McKenzie: which Mr. Lloyd informs me

now has over 400 lawyers

with offices in New York,

Miami, Chicago, San Francisco.

They're seeking to establish a beachhead here in L.A.

and wondered if we'd be interested

in becoming that beachhead.

- I turned him down. - Why?

Well, it's conditional on merging with them.

I think they'd have their pick of every firm in L.A.

Kelsey: That was a real coup that they want us.

Did Mr. Lloyd per chance mention any figures?

Purely speculatively, he threw out something in the nature of

three to four hundred thousand per partner.

And you didn't think that was worth

putting before the partnership?

Well, I felt certain I spoke for us all.

No offense, Leland, but if somebody

wants to hand me close to a half a million bucks,

I don't want anyone speaking for me but me.

I'd have to agree with Arnold.

I took it as an article of faith

that the firm of McKenzie Brackman

would never cotton to being franchised.

McKenzie: I see I was wrong.

Well, I think that what we're objecting to

is having our opinions preempted, Leland.

In that case, Douglas, why don't you

and Stewart contact Mr. Lloyd?

Get the full proposal and present it

to the partnership at its earliest convenience.

Arnie, you have got a ton of phone calls.

Never mind that. Get my realtor on the phone quick.

I guess you know if this tribe splits up,

it's you and me out in the cold.

I know.

Trial experience can make it a little warmer.

I know that, too.

So why don't you take this telephone harassment case?

When's the trial?

- Two days. It's Muni Court. - Two days?

Basically your client's word against the ex-daughter-in-law.

You can learn the file in an hour.

Victor, I don't know.

I mean, it-- it's just that the thought

of trying a case by myself is kind of scary.

Well, the first time always is, but two days from now,

you will be much more confident, not to mention more marketable.

You're right.

- Okay. I'll take it. - Good.

Good. I'll have the client come in

the first thing in the morning.

Don't you worry about a thing. You're gonna be great.

What do you think about this Marshal Taft proposal?

Never happen.

Well, just in case you're wrong, Mike,

I want you to know that if you ever decided

to open up your own store...

there's no one else that I'd rather hang out a shingle with.

Thank you, Victor.

But I am positive that it won't come to that.

Were we in the same staff meeting or what?

What you heard was anger at Leland's peremptory attitude

toward the other partners. That's all.

What I heard was the distinctive sound of money talking.

I guarantee you, Victor...

when push comes to shove,

McKenzie Brackman will not sell out.

I hope you're right, Mike.

But I think you're wrong.

Forgive me. I'm trying not to become too emotional,

but-- but when I come to think of it,

I mean, how this woman could actually

have me arrested and brought to trial

just because I'm concerned about my grandson's wellbeing?

Her statement to the police alleges

that you made repeated calls, at all hours of the night,

that you used profane language.

How do-- how do I explain this?

Ms. Perkins, do you by any chance have any children?

Abby: This is my son. Kirby: Ah...

Well, then, maybe you will understand what it's like

when someone tries to harm him,

how you turn into a lioness protecting her cub.

That's the way I felt about my son and now his son.

So what happens is

you call to complain about how she's raising him.

Oh, no. Actually, I just call

to see how my grandson is.

Kirby: But when that nine-year-old boy tells me

that he's home all alone

with nothing to eat

while his mother is off

running around with some man...

Alright, I'm not denying that perhaps

my language could be a little more ladylike,

but-- but I wonder what

you would say to a woman like that.

Under the circumstances, Mrs. Kirby,

I am sure the city attorney

would be willing to talk about a plea bargain.

Oh, no, no. I'm sorry.

I don't mean to be difficult,

but I'm not guilty of anything.

Kirby: She's the criminal, the way she neglects that child.

The only reason she brought this complaint

was as a wedge against my son in his custody suit.

If I were to cave into her now, I mean...

who knows what she would do?

[indistinct chatter]

My God, you look like a juror bringing in a guilty verdict.

Actually, the meeting went well, Morris.

The DA's office has agreed to dismiss the charges

if you'll resign from the bench.

You couldn't tell me that yesterday?

I didn't want to get your hopes up

till I'd also met with Nick Pierce at the state bar.

I've just come from a breakfast meeting.

He thinks the ethics commission will reinstate

with only a three-month suspension.

Forget about that.

Tell me about the meeting with the DA.

They folded their tents just like that?

Their case is dubious.

The case is crap, or else

they wouldn't have folded that fast. Am I right?

Morris, the fact that their case is tainted

doesn't vitiate the fact that you took a bribe.

McKenzie: You've got to resign.

Innocent until proven guilty, Leland.

Besides, if I beat the criminal charges,

the ethics committee can't touch me.

I wouldn't be so certain of that.

Allegations of judicial impropriety.

A federal wiretap suggesting that you may have taken a bribe

on at least one other occasion.

If the DA loses at trial, they'll throw this

to the judicial committee and the bar.

The same standards of evidence won't apply.

You'll be thrown out of office, Morris.

They'll never let you practice law again.

I'm not some cheap crook!

There's no case here, and you know it.

I was coerced.

A stronger man would have resisted.

Morris, please listen to me.

You've been lucky so far.

But, look...

neither of us is young any more.

It's time, Morris.

It's time to retire.

[scoffs] Please.

McKenzie: Sit in the sun, hit some golf balls.

God, that doesn't sound half bad.

No. Just because you're old

and ready for the boneyard, doesn't mean I am.

[sighs] Morris, if you insist on taking this to trial,

you'll have to get yourself another lawyer.

I'll be happy to get a new lawyer, Leland.

I was just doing you a favor giving you this case anyway,

thinking you would have been grateful

to win a big one like this.

But I guess you're past it, aren't you?

Hood: I always knew you were overrated.

Linda: Case continued until

March 14, 1987.

Defendant to remain free OR.

Mr. Handeman, you'll let us know

as soon as you're ready with your next case.

Mr. Handeman, I'm Abigail Perkins

from McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney, and Kuzak.

Oh, yeah.

How's my pal Mike Kuzak doing?

Very well.

Um, I'm handling People vs. Delores Kirby

set for jury trial tomorrow.

I was wondering if we could discuss the case.

This is the grandmother who keeps calling daughter-in-law?

- Yes. - Now, look.

I hate these family beefs.

I've got no problem with a 50 buck fine,

three months summary probation.

Actually, I was looking for a dismissal.

[laughs] I can't do that

or I'd have the daughter-in-law screaming for my scalp.

Maybe we can just continue the thing

with no finding or something.

My client had no statutory intent to annoy or harass.

That's what she says.

If you ask me, I think it's the state that's guilty

of harassment in the prosecution of this case.

What is it with your firm?

First, Kuzak comes in chopping me at the knees

over some cheap hooker case. Now you've got the hatchet.

I've got no hatchet, just an innocent client.

Either you agree to a dismissal, or there's no deal.

Guess I'll see you in court, Counselor.

According to the proposal, they say we can stay intact.

They say we don't have to move.

They're offering us a huge chunk of change.

Becker: People, I don't see the downside.

Marshal Taft has over 400 lawyers. It's a factory.

Look, I want to buy a house.

Becker: I want some equity in my life, and this is my chance.

Look, even speaking strictly from a financial point of view,

I think we're being shortsighted.

Arnie, their average partner income

is less than ours is right now. You understand what that means?

It means we'll be making more money for them

than they will be for us.

Besides which, I don't understand how many more cases

we can take on than we already have.

With a greatly expanded support system, lots.

Kuzak: None of us is exactly starving here.

We already work ten, 12 hours a day.

Now, my concern,

my bottom line, if you will,

is quality of life.

What happens when we want to tell a client to go to hell?

We have to fly all the way back to New York

to explain it to some management committee?

Half the times you want to tell someone to go to hell,

you can't explain it. It's a feeling.

So how are we gonna talk feelings to New York?

Kuzak: I don't know.

We're gonna wind up representing a lot of folks

that we have no business dealing with...

and that scares me.

Hear, hear.

It seems to me that this is

first and foremost a business,

and it's bad business to say no

to an offer as potentially lucrative as this one.

As we have been here for several hours

and the hour is growing late,

if no one has anything else to say...

I suggest we vote.

Yes for merger, no against.

We have a 3-3 deadlock.

In consideration of which, I'm changing my no vote to yes.

- Leland, don't. - Michael... please.

[sighs]

If I may...

and I hope I don't embarrass anyone when I tell you

how much this firm means to me.

It's been my life...

my family.

But the thing that strikes me most

as I listen to the pros and cons of this merger proposal

is the fact that, [chuckles]

I'm old enough to be the father

of every partner in this firm,

and I suppose, like all fathers,

I've loved this firm...

somewhat to its detriment.

I've loved it like my child.

But the ultimate job of a parent

is to know when to stop parenting...

to know when it's time to...

to let go.

McKenzie: And clearly, if there is to be a future for this firm,

it lies in heeding the wishes of the younger partners.

Deadlock only exposes our divisiveness.

It leaves us vulnerable to raiding...

whereas accepting this offer,

by doing that...

at least we'll be together.

Under the circumstances, I...

I know of no other solution.

And unless someone else does...

I suggest that we let Douglas

enter into substantive negotiations with Marshal Taft.

And as that concludes the...

[telephone ringing]

Markowitz: It was you, wasn't it?

It was me, what?

You were the third vote to sell out.

Yes.

Markowitz: I don't understand how you can do it, Ann.

Marshal Taft is a factory.

I mean, it's cold. It's impersonal.

They go by the numbers, Ann.

It's got an impressive power base.

It'll allow us to access the kind of cases

we're not currently equipped to handle.

Yeah, at what price?

I'm talking about you.

You think Marshal Taft is gonna look kindly

on Ann Kelsey's humanist instincts?

Y-- you think they're gonna let your meter run

while you represent some principle

that may or may not have a profitable bottom line?

Come on, Ann.

Marshal Taft-- Marshal Taft thinks pro bono

is Latin for sucker bet.

Stewart...

we're all so...

inbred here.

I am not afraid of change.

I like the idea of new contacts,

travel, a-- a-- a bigger pond.

Yeah, travel. Heh.

You know what you're doing, don't you?

You're selling out the integrity of this firm

because you want to distance yourself from me.

That's ridiculous.

Uh-uh. I don't think so.

Ann, I'm asking you, please,

please reconsider this merger business.

And I'm going to make it easy for you.

Our relationship is over.

I'm not gonna bother you anymore.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

- Gracie, you're up. - More or less.

You know, I never even heard you come in last night.

The good news is, I threatened to quit

unless they let me out of night court.

The bad news is they took me seriously,

which means I'm still gainfully employed.

You're back in day court?

Downtown felony trials, starting Monday.

- That's great. - Yeah.

Oh, Gracie, I missed you.

Me, too.

You didn't really think about quitting, did you?

Not this minute, but I sure can't picture myself

doing the same job my whole life.

You know, I actually used to think I could.

Coffee, coffee, coffee.

I mean, be a lifer in the firm.

But I'm not a corporate man.

And if Leland ever decided to pull back his involvement...

What would you do?

That's just the thing, I don't know.

Hmm.

I just wanted it to stay the way it was.

Well, if you don't like it, you can always quit.

Oh, I've been thinking about that.

Tell you what, Kuzak.

You want to take six months off and figure this out,

don't worry about money.

I can take care of us.

Gracie...

Come here.

Let me dry you off.

Ooh. Mmm.

Brackman: All support personnel

are tied to the same minicomputer.

It handles up to 30 freestanding VDTs.

We're only using half its capacity.

Plenty of room for expansion.

You'll need the extra room. Is your file room online, too?

I'm afraid we're in the Dark Ages

when it comes to our filing system.

It's all paper.

You ever think about putting up dividers,

walls around these desks?

male #1: Yeah, you cube the support personnel,

you cut down on unnecessary gossip.

Get a lot more work done.

You make the walls around the secretary's desk

smoked Plexiglas. They can't hang anything,

so they stop bringing in mementos.

It gives the firm a clean hard-edged business look.

Markowitz: You-- you mean they can't see out?

No, but you can see in to make sure they're working.

Markowitz: It sounds a little claustrophobic.

Brackman: We have to work in offices, don't we?

Why shouldn't they work in cubicles?

And why not cut down on the clutter?

Personally, I like clutter.

I... I-- I can't help it. I do.

[knocks on desk] Ready?

I have my opening statement on cards,

my questions, my list of cases on point,

cross-exam questions, closing arguments.

They will never know what hit them.

So how come I'm scared to death?

Rox, this house in Malibu, it's got glass everywhere.

It's got a black bottom pool,

180-degree ocean view.

It's got a fireplace so big you could roll a tree into it.

Rox, I love it.

Oh.

Rox?

Whatever it is, I'm gonna make it better.

Come here.

Oh, Arnie, it's gonna be awful.

What?

If we become part of Marshal Taft.

Oh, no, it won't.

Is there any chance it won't go through?

I doubt it, but where I go, you go.

I swear, Rox, we're joined at the hip.

Nothing is going to separate us.

I've done some calling around.

They make you punch time clocks.

They charge you for personal calls.

You have to get supervisory approval for overtime.

The secretaries have work quotas.

Rox, that's there.

We're gonna stay put right here.

It's gonna be business as usual.

Arnie, there are two efficiency experts

out there right now measuring us for cubicles.

And put this in your computer.

Marshal Taft imposes a dress code on all its attorneys.

They ought to call it Marshal Law.

Ask Scott Gottlieb.

Who is Scott Gottlieb?

He's a trust expert with Cohen, Kagan, and Faller

on the 12th floor.

He used to work for Marshal Taft in Chicago.

Okay. Call.

See if he's free for lunch.

reporter: We're live in downtown Los Angeles,

where Judge Morris Hood has just arrived

at a hastily-called news conference

to announce his resignation.

His decision to call it quits

follows his highly-publicized arrest

for allegedly accepting a bribe.

Let's hear what he has to say.

Hey, I've served with diligence and integrity,

and now I've earned the right to step aside.

Sir, isn't it true that your resignation

was key to the DA's office

dropping criminal charges against you?

Paul: My client is leaving the bench

with all the privileges of his former position.

Further than that, we have no comment.

Mr. Glansman, is it true that Judge Hood

is joining your criminal law practice?

As a matter of fact, I have tendered an offer

to Judge Hood, and I look forward to a long and rewarding

association with such a distinguished colleague.

Thank you, Paul. The truth is,

my personal experience of the past few weeks

has given me a renewed sense of purpose.

After a short vacation with my wife,

I'll look forward to defending individuals like myself

who have been deprived of their constitutional rights.

[reporters shouting questions]

He just couldn't give you the satisfaction, could he?

Hmm.

You look tired.

Why don't you go home?

Maybe I will.

Go hit some golf balls.

Self-pity doesn't become you, Leland.

Nor does self-delusion.

I'm not getting any younger, Iris.

Well, in three years, I'll be finished with law school.

We could hang out a shingle, Hubbard and McKenzie.

Ooh, that has a nice ring to it.

[laughs]

McKenzie and Hubbard.

Your Honor, I represent the defendant Delores Kirby

in this matter who was charged

with one count PC, Section 653M.

I have the papers, Counselor.

- Let's proceed. Abby: Yes, sir.

Uh... the defense will show

that the defendant is the grandmother

of the complainant's son.

We will further show that she made the phone calls in question

out of her love for her grandson.

Counsel approach.

What are we doing here?

I tried to plea it out, Judge.

I even offered to continue it without a finding.

My client is innocent, Your Honor, and I cannot

in good faith recommend that she plead guilty to a crime.

Civilian complaint, Judge. I can't just drop it.

Alright. Let's go.

Uh, Ms. Perkins...

I'm sure the rest of your opening is gonna be terrific,

but since I'll be deciding this case on the evidence,

can we just get to it?

Yes, sir.

The People call Nancy Tritchler.

Handleman: And at some point, Ms. Tritchler,

did you call the police about the phone calls?

I had to. I couldn't take it anymore,

the vile language, the threats.

I had to do something to finally stop her.

Thank you. I have nothing further.

McGrath: Counselor.

[clears throat]

Ms. Tritchler, isn't it true that you often

forgot to pick up your son after school?

- Objection, irrelevant. - Sustained.

It goes to state of mind, Your Honor.

I'm trying to establish that my client

called out of concern because she felt that

Ms. Tritchler was neglecting the child.

The witness is incompetent to testify

as to the defendant's state of mind,

but if it'll speed things up, the People will stipulate

that the defendant thought the witness was a lousy mother

and that she often called to express that sentiment.

The People will also stipulate

that the defendant's son felt exactly the same way.

McGrath: Is that where you're going, Ms. Perkins,

to show this woman made these calls to criticize...

this woman's maternal performance?

- Yes. - Well, then I don't--

Well, no, I mean, she called for more than that.

She also called to provide information.

You may proceed within that scope.

Ms. Tritchler, didn't my client sometimes call

to tell you things like where the boy could be picked up

or what time he should be dropped off?

No. His father would do that.

She would only call to berate me.

Like bloody hell.

I will not tolerate any more of that, Mrs. Kirby.

Abby: Isn't it true that she would sometimes call

to ask you legitimate questions?

She would call to tell me

that I was the worst thing that ever happened to her son

and that I was probably the worst thing

that ever happened to my son.

Abby: I have nothing further.

The People rest, Your Honor.

McGrath: You may step down, Mrs. Tritchler.

Um...

Uh, the defense calls Delores Kirby.

Abby: Mrs. Kirby, could you tell the court

what occasioned you to telephone the complainant

repeatedly over the last two months?

I was worried about my grandson.

What specifically bothered you, Mrs. Kirby?

Well, all her men friends, for one thing.

- She lives the life of a whore. - I want that on the record.

Sit down, Ms. Tritchler.

Kirby: I don't think it's right that a nine-year-old boy

should be brought up in that environment.

I called to express my opinion. That's all.

Now, Mrs. Kirby, the records indicate

that sometimes you would call as many as six times a day.

Most of those calls were to my grandson.

I'd call, and he'd be out playing,

so I'd call back later.

Can I help it if that filthy little slut keeps answering?

- I want that on the record-- - Will somebody please shut--

Nancy: Slander suit. - Over your dead body.

- That's enough. - Mrs. Kirby!

Is it your testimony then

that you made these calls to your ex-daughter-in-law

not with the intent to annoy or harass,

but simply out of concern for the welfare of your grandson?

- Yes, it is. Abby: Thank you.

I have nothing further.

No cross.

Mrs. Kirby, you're excused.

The defense rests, Your Honor.

Can we waive closing arguments?

- Yes. - Well, I'd like to say--

Nothing you could say, Ms. Perkins,

could possibly sway me.

McGrath: Will the defendant please rise?

Mrs. Kirby, I'm sure

you're a very giving grandparent...

but you have no right to call this woman

to tell her she's a bad mother.

You have no right to threaten her or to use obscene language.

If you want to file a report

with social services, that's one thing.

But those repeated calls constitute a criminal violation.

Don't do it.

Now, what I'm gonna do is continue this matter

without a finding for one year.

If you behave, I'll dismiss the complaint at that time.

But if you continue to make these calls,

I will find you guilty

on the facts presented to me today.

I'll slap you with a big fine,

and I'll make you spend a week in jail.

Now, I know you don't want that to happen,

so no more calls.

McGrath: Now, Mr. Handleman, Ms. Perkins,

approach the bench.

Let me offer you these observations, Ms. Perkins,

in the hope that you learn something from them.

I found your irresponsible rejection

of the city attorney's offer,

coupled with a defense strategy

that all but assured conviction,

and compounded by your inability

to control your own client,

to be shamefully unprofessional.

Please be so kind to tell your friend that the next time

they look to send inexperienced attorneys out

to cut their teeth...

that they stay away from my courtroom.

That's all.

[knock on door] Abby?

[sighs] I am sorry about McGrath.

If I'd known it was gonna get transferred to him,

I never would have sent you in.

- He is a bear. - I was a mess, Victor.

I couldn't even think straight in there.

I remember my first trial.

All I got was an upset stomach,

two wobbly knees, and a guilty verdict.

Seriously, I had to run out after the trial

and throw up on my new pair of shoes.

I'm not meant to be a trial lawyer.

I should just be the little office mole

researching, sight-checking, stuff like that.

It happens to everybody, Abby.

The only thing that really matters is the result,

and Mrs. Kirby got a good one.

Don't try to make me feel better, Victor.

You weren't there.

- Uh-- - Handleman: But I was.

You excuse us for a minute, Victor?

Sure.

For what it's worth, I thought the judge was out of line.

Oh, but you weren't,

telling him it was me who wanted the trial.

It was the truth.

He was against me from the start,

and you contributed to that.

Listen, it happens. I lost my first case, too.

Oh, and you just love rubbing my nose in it, don't you?

Not really.

Then why did you come down here?

To ask you out on a date.

- A date? - What's with you?

What's with you? You do everything you can

to embarrass me in court, and then you come marching in here--

Hey, I-- I just tried my case.

You embarrassed yourself.

I don't know what the hell I was thinking

when I came in here.

- Hi, George. Handleman: Stick it, Counselor.

- Status, Cromwell. - Unchanged.

Brackman: Stewart is currently in San Francisco

on the Chapman case.

And, in her first

major league at bat--

- Douglas. Brackman: Victor...

Even the great ones strike out.

I trust, Ms. Perkins,

you will dig in at the plate next time at bat

and hit the ball out of the park.

Thank you.

Even Richard Nixon lost his first case.

Brackman: Finally, negotiations, as you all know,

are proceeding apace vis-à-vis

merging with Marshal Taft.

Uh, Douglas, if you'll permit me,

after a great deal of thought...

I have come to regret the position I took on the merger.

Alright, Annie.

The decision was made emotionally...

and in haste.

And I don't think I had the firm's best interest

or even my own at heart.

So I'm formally changing my yes vote to a no.

Leaving us where?

Back at 3-3.

Anyone else care to recant

while you've still got the chance?

Well, actually, I've been thinking about it.

Douglas.

I truthfully am quite put off

by their hands-on style of management.

Further, after several sessions

of hard negotiation,

it's become clear that the

upfront dollars once talked about are illusory.

What?

Brackman: They proposed payment over a seven-year span.

Wait, seven years?

Non-negotiable.

Whoa, forget that.

Besides, I... I had lunch with a guy

who used to work for them in Chicago.

Says it was like boot camp.

Let's tell 'em to go to hell.

[sniffling]

[sighs] Okay.

Leland, that makes you the only one left.

I'll bow to the will of the majority.

[instrumental music]

[laughs]

[indistinct chatter]

Rox, we're not merging.

The deal's off. Call my realtor, quick.

Kelsey: It's a dress code.

[Cromwell chuckles]

Thank you. Personally, I think you made the right decision.

I hope so.

Sometimes bigger really is better.

Well, for what it's worth, I chose McKenzie Brackman

because of you and-- and because they were small.

And I've had no reason to regret my decision on either count.

Thank you.

Ann, I think I told you

the first time we went to dinner together that

flirtation is just not my style.

The last few weeks working with you so intimately, I...

well, I've grown...

intensely attracted to you.

I'm sorry, George.

You're as attracted to me as I am to you.

I... I can feel it.

Maybe at another time in my life.

So what you're saying is that you're a tease.

- You just like to flirt. - No.

Cromwell: Oh, yes, that you enjoy

shooting up these little sexual flares.

Late night meetings, the intimate little touches.

What was the real agenda, Ann, this Markowitz character?

You pump me up so you can yank his leash?

Kelsey: If I gave you any mixed signals, I apologize,

but I'm in love with this Markowitz character.

And if you'll excuse me, I've got to catch a plane.

Mr. Becker, your realtor tells me

you have a written offer to present on our house.

Arnie, and actually,

to be totally candid with you,

I don't want to buy your house.

Well, in that case, I got better things to do with my time.

Becker: Mr. Alport, Mrs. Alport, please.

I know this seems very unorthodox.

But the truth is...

my heart went out to both of you

when I heard about your situation.

What did you hear?

Just that the house that you bought in hopes of shoring up

a troubled marriage had become...

a mirror of your shattered dreams.

[laughing] Who the hell is this jerk?

Listen, pal, our marriage is none of your damn business.

Actually, it is my business, literally, I mean.

I'm a-- I'm a divorce lawyer.

Mr. Outport: Well, we already have a couple of sharks

bleeding us dry.

In fact, I happen to admire

and respect both of your attorneys

and I'm not trying to steal their business.

So what's in it for you?

Absolutely nothing more than the satisfaction

of seeing two people who...

probably love each other very much

work out their problems.

Love? Huh. Well, the little woman

sure had a hell of a way of showing it.

It was nothing.

A cry for attention.

What the hell do you know about this?

Only people who love each other

punish each other this much.

Well, thanks a lot, Dr. Freud.

Tell me, Gordon.

Look me right in the eye.

Tell me that you never did it with another woman

while you were married.

So the house became a very good way

to avoid dealing with your real problems.

Since the day we bought it, we were at each other's throats.

Of course. It happens all the time.

It's not your fault.

The decisions, the constant hassles.

You know, I get enough of that stuff at work.

I didn't need to come home to that punishment.

Maybe you could have been a little bit more understanding?

And maybe you could have been more sensitive to her needs.

Oh, come on.

Don't.

Becker: Marriage is like a ship in the ocean.

Sometimes you just have to ride the storm out.

Let's give it another try.

Please come home.

I can't live there.

Well, I don't want to sell it.

Look, how about in the spirit of compromise,

you... lease it?

I could live with that.

Me, too, I guess.

Sign here.

[soft music]

Kelsey: Excuse me.

Buy a lady a drink?

What would the lady be drinking?

You know how to make a Venus Butterfly?

Uh, no, I'm sorry. That one's not in my repertoire.

That's okay. It's in mine.

[music continues]

Are you here alone at the hotel?

[sighs]

Perhaps... we could go to your room.

Merkowitz: I have to call room service.

Kelsey: I know.

[theme music]

[music continues]